GF Fufeng deal advances at slow pace

Efforts to bring a corn milling plant to Grand Forks continue to move forward…one step at a time.

The city council last night (Monday) approved zoning and annexation measures for the site of the proposed Fufeng project.  The company is eyeing 370 acres of land on the city’s north side.

Council member Ken Vien says he knows why the company has selected the site – but that doesn’t mean it’s a “great location” for everybody.

City Attorney Dan Gaustad says the city is following a comprehensive development agreement to make sure all issues are addressed.  “We are now going through and creating a spreadsheet on all the various items that have to be accomplished under the agreement.  We don’t want to loose sight of what needs to be accomplished because it is 45 pages long.”

Water was also a talking point last night.  Council President Dana Sande says the Fufeng project is another reason why the city should continue to pursue the Red River Water Supply project with the state.

The council started the meeting behind closed doors in executive session to discuss a pending legal challenge.  As KNOX News previously reported a lawsuit was filed May 6^th against the city regarding rejected petitions seeking a vote on the project.